Nature And Outdoors in Paphos

Nature routes out of Paphos run two ways: to the sea in the north-west and into the mountains in the east. The first way is Akamas, the last large stretch of Cyprus that was never built on. It is a reserve without asphalt: dirt roads, the Avakas gorge with walls thirty metres high, turtles on Lara beach and the Blue Lagoon, where the water is so clear the boat seems to hang in it.

The second way is Troodos. From the coast to the peaks is about an hour and a half, and in that time the vegetation changes three times: scrub, then vineyards, then pine forest. There are two ways up — an ordinary excursion on asphalt through the villages, and a jeep safari on the dirt tracks. A separate line lies closer to town: truffle hunting in autumn and bass fishing from a boat, both about what the local land and water give.

Practical notes. Akamas has no cafés, no shade and no reliable signal — water and a hat always come along. The Avakas gorge is closed after rain because of falling stone, and that is decided on the spot in the morning. Turtles come ashore at Lara in summer; the nesting plots are fenced and must not be walked on. In the mountains it is fifteen degrees cooler than in Paphos, even in August.